Electropneumatic brake



RUNNINS INVENTOR THOMAS H .THQNIAS ATTORNEY T. H. THOMAS. ELr-:cTRoPNEuMATIc BRAKE.

FILED APR.2. 1920, l

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2 INV ENTOR THOMAS H THOMAS Patented lara 2, lQZQ,

ELECTROPNEUMATC BRAKE.

.application filed sp1-ii 2,

To fil! yiti/icm if may conce/Mi:

Be it linown that l, Trioii'lis VlroMAs, a citizen of the United Sta residing' at Edgewood, in the county ci i lleglieny and State ot Pennsylvania, have invented new and riiserlil Improvements in -Electropneu matic Brakes, of which the following; is a specification.

This invention relates to electro-pneumatic brakes, and incre n Liciiiaifly `to 'a liialte eqiiiivnnent .iior eleitin i'oi'itroll'iii f the brakes oirthe cars ot a tra i.. f

lll he principal ohj ect of my iiiventimi is to provide an improved electro-pneuinatic hralte equipment in which a r iced niiiniher of electric train wires and brake co t magnets are employed,

@ther objects and advantaees will appear in the following more detailed description ot the invention.

ln the accomi. nying; drawings; llfpxf. ii. diagrammatic view olf Aan electro l matic brake equipment tor a locomotive or head car and other cars ot a t ain.. with my invention applied thereto; 'fs FZ to /l in elusive, sectional views ol the hrale switch drinn, showing the electric t 'n line con. iiections .in the respective po ions indi cated on the drawings; Figi'. E a wiring' iliagram, including' a develop-nie` i o'l the lectric liriile drum; Fig' 6 sectional diagraminaizic view ot a car electropiieiiniatic l'iialie equipment en'ihodyingg' my invention: and igsh i to 9 inclusive, sectional views oi the electric portion oct the mechanism shown in Fig. t3, in the respective positions oi release,

serifice, and emergency. 1

is shown in l oit the drawing, an electric generator l is ,rovided on the locomotive and a brake switch coinprisinga Contact drum 2 adapted to lie operated hy a stem 3 which is preferably connected to the ,usual brake valve device, so that the movement of the brakey valve "for con rolling the brakes pneumatically also moves the brake drum 'for controlling'the 1 maltes electrically.

@n each of the nain, there is provided electro-magnets it and B controlling; a valve mechanism hy which the brakes may be applied and released l@ne terr off the :in

roll

1920. Serial N0. 370,667.

nected through a cut-out switch 4 to an electric train wire 5 and one terminal of magnet ll is connected to an electric train wire 6, the other terminal ot said magnets being` connected to a. return train wire 7.

Vllhil'e the car electro-pneumatic lbrak equipment is designed to operate in connec tion with various forms of brake controlling valve devices, l have shown one application in Fig; 6 otv the drawings'in which the elecii'o-pii.iiiniatio apparatus vis applied in coniiection with a. standard quick action triple valve device 8.

, Said triple valve device may comprise the usual casing, having piston chamber 9 connected to the brake pipel l0 and containing' piston ll and a valve chamber l2, connected to an auxiliary reservoirv 13 and containing a main slide valve 14 and a graduat- .ing slide valve l5 adapted toloe operated hy piston ll.

lhe quick action 'portion of theA triple valve device may comprise the usual piston l@ tor operating a train pipe vent valve'l7. The magnet il vis adapted to operate valves liv and l?) and the magnet B valves 2O and 2l, issociatedwith the magnet bracket 22 selector valve device 23 having a piston chamber' 2li connected to a'passage 25, leading through cut-out cap 52,6 and controlled hy'valve QU, and containing a piston 27 and having` a valve chamhe'r128, connected to a passage 29 and containing al slide vclve `30, adapted to he operated by piston 27.

Also vassociated `with the magnet bracket is a short circuiting' switch device 31 having; a piston 32 for operatinga switch contact 33, adapted when closed to connect the electric train wires 5, 6, and 7. i ln operation, the fluid pressure brake system is chareedj in the usual manner and fluid :trom the ora-lie pipe l0 flows to piston chamber 9 of the triple valve device 8 and thence through feed groove 34 to valve chamber l2 and the auxiliary reservoir 13.

ln thenormal running` position of the brake valve and brake switch, the magnet il is energized while the magnet B is deenergized as shown in Fig. o of the draw ingsA Fluidl under pressure Aissupplied :tromthe brake pipe through. passage Soto passage 29, charging the valve chamber 28 of the selector valve device 23. .i

Fluid `also flows from passage through the cap 26 toa passage 36 which leads to the chamber 37 below the magnet valve 19 and also chamber 38 below the magnet valve v21. i

.Witli' the liir`i, 'n`et B de'e'nergized, the valve 2O will be seated andthe'valve 21 opened, so as to permit fiuid fioni'the brake pipe to flow from passage 36 and chamber 38, past the valve 21 to passage 25. The fluid pressures on opposite sides ot the 'piston 27 being thus equalized, the spring B9 maintainspiston 27 and slide valve il() in release position, as shown in Fig. 6.

In this position, kthe brake cylinder 40 is connected to the atmosphere through passage 41, passage 42,-pass'age 43, cavity 44 in l'slide valve 1401:' the triple valve device, passage 45, cavity 46 in slide valve 30, and cxf haust port 47".

The magnet A'beiiig energized .in running position, the valve 18 will bel seated and the valve `19 will be held' open so that fluid iinder pressure is supplied from thebrake pipe through passage 36 and` chamber, 37, past the valve 19 to passage 48 and thence ,to an emergency valve chamber 49, the piirposeof which will be hereinafter explained.

AIf it is desired to effect a service applicationof the brakes, the combined brake valve and-brake switchis turned to seiviceapplication position, in kwhich the brake pipe pres- A sure is reduced through the brake valve in the 'usualmannenand themagnet A is `deenergized, while the magnet B is" energized The energization of magnet Bcauses thevalve 21 to be closed and the valve 20 to be opened, so that passage 25 is connected to an atmospheric exhaust port-'50. Fluid under pressure is therefore vented from piston chamber 24 of the selector valve device' and Vconsequently the piston `27 "and slide valve are shifted tothe position shown in Fig. 8 ef the drawings. In this position, the brake pipe is vented to thebrake cylinder in the following manner; through passage 35 to passage 29 and valve chamber 28 of the selector valve device 23 and thence through lpassage` 51 to emergency chamber'49, through' passage 48,

past the valve 18 to passage 52, 'pastcheck as hereinbefore described.

from the valve chamber 12 and the auxiliary reservoir 13 to thebrake cylinder 40 in the usual manner. y

The brakes may bereleased by first moving the brake valve to release position and then to running position. ln release pesil tion, fluid is suppliedfroin the main reservoir through the brake valve to the brake pipe in the usual manner .to secure a rapid increase in brake pipe pressure throughout the train and thereby effect the movement of the triple valve devices to release position.

'In release position, the brake switch op? erates to energize both the magnets .El and B. Since the magnet B' remains energized, as in service application position, the piston chamber v24 of the selector valve device 3 is maintained at atmospheric pressure andthe piston 27 and slide valve 30 ren'iain in service position, as shown in Fig. 7 of the drawmg l The venting of fluid from the brake pipe to the brake cylinder is cut ofi" however, y

since the magnet A. is energized to close the valve 18 and thus cut 4 ofil communication ythrough which fluid` is supplied `from the brake pipe to the brake cylinder. A

lhenthe brake pipe pressure has been increased in the release position yof the brake valve sufficiently to eil'ect the movement of the triple valves to releaseposition, the brake valve may be turned to running position, in which the brake switch operates to energize the magnet A and deenergise the magnet B. The deenergization of magnet B causes the valve 20 to ,be closed and the valve 2 1- vopened, so that fluid under pressure is supplied frcm the brake pipe through passage 36, past valve A21 to passage 25and' piston chamber 24. The piston 27 and slide valve 30 of the selector valve device'are then shifted to release position, in whichfthei brake cylinder is connected to the vexhaust If the brake valve is left in running posi.'- tion the brakes will be 'fiilly released, but if it is desired to effect a graduated releasefofl the brakes, the brake valvemay be moved from running to release position,` lafter the 4brake cylinder pressure has been partially reduced, so as to'cut off-the furtherexhaust of fluid from the brake cylinder.l y Further'reductions in brake 'cylinder pressure may be effected, as will be evident, by moving the brake valve, between runniiigand release positions as'y often as desired.

n emergency'application of the brakes may be eff'ected by moving the brake valve icc ics

port` 47,

to emergency position in which the brake pipe pressure 'issuddenly reduced atthe, brake' valve and 'in which all the electric brake circuits are opened,'so that both the magnets A andB are deeiiergized.`

Since the magnet B is deenei'eized, the

piston 27 @fthe selector: valve device 23will.

'neri ed, the y* i, l valve lll epei` i i fessure is supplied lireui eucy chamber il) mi lli, through e:i-t

through l through *c f 52, past check va and cavity 553 in selector slide valve Il() te pessage 5T aid thence te the (puch action piston le.

n 'l E) steli then hralie pipe v' the brake pi -Y hijalie pipe lEluid ur thr ugh pas ot a valve pisA se to permit i c through a passage, f)

{"laid switch eisten then op' .l t har 33 to bridge the contacts @euh the train Wires 5, 67 and i'.

llvlliei'e an emergency applic l e brakes is initiated hy i-l'ioveinent ci the hraie vali/e to emergency position, as above cescribeda the hric wing of thu t d contacts h] switch har 3,3

will have ne el'ect, since the train line 'c' fcuits all open at the brake case an emergency application s i initiated hy a train hrealrirl-tive or because' oli a hursted hrale pipe the hose, the quick ctien piston oi'' valve device en the forward 3er-l" ent te the break, vv'1 Y U the sudden reduction in brake pipe ssure, so that lluid is 'supplied to the cortriple 'zii the v sivitch piston 252 hy the epeningr f ic valve piston 5h and under these couhralie valve vri Vpreliahly he iiV ther than the emergency pesi-- ereifore a circuit will he cles el the trait "ivres 5, bridging et the cou-- cts connected to said train wires hy th,

hrcugh the energized train Wires rush et current eice @j in the ipply lead The overload switch ne operated inthe usual v'a'j; te

i, e J iat all et ieu ll chere-tor circuit se cl e of switch har 3? will cause a shortv acting un the, opposite Mide ot the vwaive n; said valve pi, will he moved t uuiicatiei i a, magnets l the chamber aheve the quick act-ion pisteu il).

Since there is no vfluid pressure in the chamber e9 under the above c ndivicns7 there will he no action ot the electric portion and the equipment ci? the train will act only pneuinatically in the usual manner.

A chelze 6e in the passage 4t2 ensures that he brake pipe pressure will net reduce taste? han the auxiliary reservoir pressure in' an electric service application o'l the lira since the brake pipe pressure as well as llui( troni the auxiliary reservoir niust flow through the choke to get te the brake cylinder and this prevents the possihility et the triple valve device shitting to emergency pe# sitiou hy the reduction in hral'e pipe pressure which is effected in an electric service application et the brakes.

ln order that the release ot' the hrales may not he restricted hy flow through the choke (Se, the release of lluid frei/n the brake cylinder is augmented through a lay-pass, centaining a check valve 65, troni the (i2-t0 the passage 43.

its hereiiihetore descriheth the apparatus opera hoth electrically and pneumaticallyy that ls to say, the brake pipe pressure is reduced in electric operation, and the. triple valve devices operate hy the reduction in brake pipepressure to supply .fluid te the brake cylinder.

ll' is desired to ope ate electrically only, Without having' the triple valvev devices tuncfv tien, a plug 6G in passage G7 leading from the valve chamber l2 te the passage 29 is removed and placed in the threaded openiyigl 68 in the i assage 35, so as to close the brake pipe passage and Open the auxiliary reservoir passage 67.

llfith this arrangelnenty it 'will he seen that upon Operation of the electric portion, fluid under pressure will he taken tre n th auxiliary reservoir instea of the brake pipe in making' an application of the hrakes.` ln this case the electric positions of the hrale valve are separate treni the pneumatic p0- sitieiis7 so that'no reduction iu hrale pipe pressure effected in the electric service positien.` l

lll)

cation of the brakes, the auxiliary rese;

claim as new and desire lllhile in making van electric service anpli-v n oir pressure tends to be reduced,"thepressure Ain the auxiliary reservoir will be substantially maintained by tloiv from the brake pipe through the usual feed groove 3d around the triple valve piston ll.

Having nowdescribed my invention, what to secure by lietling the application and release of the brakes, of; tivo electro-magnets and tivo valves operated by each magnet, one adapted 'l y to seat upon energizationand the other upon A An:

CII

deenergization of the cooperatingmagnet for controlling said variationsin fluid pressure. f

In an electro-pneumatic brake, the combination with,twofelectro-magnets, of means controlled by said magnets for effecting an applicationot the brakes upon energization of one magnet, the release oit the brakes upon energzation of the other, magnet, and holding the brakes applied upon venergizatimn of both magnets. i

In an electro-pneumatic brake', the combination ivithtvvo electro-magnets, ot means controlledby said magnets for effecting a service application oi the brakes upon energization' of one magnet, the release of the brakes upon energization of the other magnet, the holding ol the brakes applied upon energization of both magnets, and an emergency application oit the brakes upon'deenen gization of both magnets.

' 5'. ln an electro-pneumatic brake, the combination With tvvo electrofmagnets, ot means controlled by said magnets for effecting a service application of the brakes upon energization of one magnet, the release of the brakes uponenergization ci the other net, and an yemergency application of the brakes upon deenergization of both magnets. y '6. ln an electro-pneumatic brake, the com.- bination With a selector valve device, ot electrically controlled means for effecting a serviceapplication of, the brakes with the selector valve `device in one position and an emer-v gency application of the brakes With the selector valve device in another position and electrically controlled means for -eii'ecting the operation oi's'aid selectorv lvalve device.`

' 7.. ln an electro-pneumatic brake, the combination with a selector valvedevice having one position in which, communication. is e`sinaonei tablished for eiiecting a service application y of the brakes and another position in which communication is established for e'ecting an emergency application oi the brakes, otfelec-v trically controlled. means for initiating a service or emero'ency application oi the brakes through said selector valve device and electrically controlled means "for etecting the operation of said selector valve device.v

ln an electro-pneumaticbrake, the coin-y bination with a selector valve device adapted to control the release of the brakes and having one position in Which communication is established. 'tor effecting a service application f olf the brakes and another position in which communication is established for effecting an emergency application of the brakes, of. electrically controlled means for initiating a service or anjemergency application of the brakes through said selector valve 'device and electrically controlled means for effecting the operation of said lselector valve device.

9. Aln an electro-pneumatic brake, the coinbination with a selector valve device having one position for establishing communication for eHecting a service application ofthe brakes and another position for establishing communication for effecting an emergency application oi the brakes, of electrically controlled means toreitectingl the operation of said selector valve device. f

10. 4ln an electro-pneumatic brake, the combination with two electromagnets and means controlled by. said magnets for effecting a service application ot' the brakes, an" emergency application of the brakes, and the release ot the brakes, cfa train Wire through which each magnet may be energized and a common return tor said. magnets. 1

11. ln an electro-pneumatic brake, the combination with tvvo electro-magnets and means controlled by said magnets iter effect"` ing a service application of the brakes, an emergency application of the brakes, the holding of the brakes applied, and the release of the brakes, of a train wire `ifor each magnet through Which current is supplied tor energizing the corresponding magnetv and a common return lWire `for both magnets.

12. lnk an electro-pneumatic brake, the combination With a valve device operated by fluid under pressureior effecting an emergency application of ze brakes, of an emergency chamber and electrically controlled means adapted upon energization to charge said chamber with Huid under pressure and upon deenergization to connect said chamber with said valve device. v l p 13. ln an electro-pneumatic brake, the combination with a brake pipe and a quick action valve device operated by iluid under pressure 'for 'venting fluid from thebrake pipe to effect emergency application. of

'.lie brelres, of un emergency olie lfier pessepe is open. io. ln eleciro ibinetion 'x'.'ili e.

` ivoir, and brake cylindei i.' ce operated upon e red ssure for supplying i ilierj; reservoir to the brake cylino r eleclricell controlled 'lor coin e passage igliroug'l W iicli 'fluid i from 'the brelre pipe end e passage rbi which fluir 7' supplied Tiroir; alie uu reservoir direccljT so the cfrli ineens for closing` one jpjiessegfe einer passage is used.

l lin an eleetro-pneumo combineion Wiili a bre "tion of bolli rgencjy applicano ol' the b:

: Wire for ech meg-net rlueugb which the correspending magnet is ener1y ved, common return Wire. n overload cir. it breaker in iiiie elecric pljf circuit i r seid rein Wires, end Swich device operated upon; e

40 reduction in brelre pine pressure for estebai y' e eher?. circui'.'J tbe supply trein e o Jhe return Wire.

en elec'zro-pneunietic brake, lie combineon Willi two train Wires, or ineens 4:5 operative upon energizetion olone trein wire io ei'iect on plicetion oil' the brakes, 1in-ou energizeiion oiF'tlie einer orein Wire to erect "che release o? lie brakes, sind upon en- :zeion orp bcli trein wires to hole lie `applied. l

. in eecro-pneunietic brake, lie

oper.. 've upon enerfrizo on of one train vfire 51o effect en op, cecion of alle brelzes, '5F upo; energizerion ov'' libe olier trein Wire lo ci; rele-ese o'f lille breires, upon enerliion of both lrein Wires to bold elle applied. end upon deenergizetion train Wires to effect en emergency ep- GO pf cnion of Ye brakes.

19. ln en electro-pneumatic breke, the combinacion with two brelre magnets' or nieens operative upon enerfrrizeeion oil one rneejne'; end ine deenergizeiion o'l llie other ineenet or efiectino e. service nppliceion of neunietic brelre, the wien iwo brele magnets, or rupon energizetion of one uetion of 'die other deeuerfii/ Lion boli ineguels for rgeuev epplicerion of lie pneurn. Lic brelle, the n-inber nor" of che n1 sus for ln en electro-pneuineic brelre, lie

com iinetion Willi e clrfunber normally 'ed Willi liuid under pressure, of e veli/'e e operare( bj? fluid suppliedifroin said clieinber for eilecring en application of Jrlie es and norme-ily negized elecricelij; con'rolled means operative upon deenergize- `ion for supplyiiw,` fluid from seid obeinber to seid Valve device.

ln en elecro-pneuineic brelre, lie co binetion 'wirk e Valve device having; e normal position movable '5o a, posiion H Qing en ejoliceeion or", tbe brelrof-z, of y ccurolled eens operative upon deenerg` mision for effeciiing the operation or seid valve device and ineens for eiflecing elle :aroveinen of seid relire device to normal poion ailier e predeierinined izime'eo perinit the release ille brakes.

in en electro-pneumatic brake, the oonibineion Wi''n e chamber normally charged wich fluid under pressure and e valve device opereted by fluid supplied iroin seid oliainber for eilecring en application of the brakes, or" elecficellyv controlled ineens for controlling Jfue supply of vfluid. "frein seid clieinber to seid Valve device and ineens for slowly Venting fluid from said clieinber to perini e reuurn movement of seid veli/'e device and lie release of the brakes efer e predetermined "rime interval.

ln en electro-pneumatic brake, the coinbine'ion with a Valve device for effecting en epplicerion oi' the brakege elecrricellg7 controlled Ineens ope-relive upon deenergize- 'tion for effecting the operation of seid Valve device and ineens operative to permit the release of the brakes er e. predetermined Jcime interval.

26. ln en elecro-pneuinetic brake, the

combination with a. brake cylinder and e n the peration oi` said additional valve device.

ln an electro-pneumatic brake,` the combination with a brake cylinder and a valve device tor controlling the eX- haust olf liuid from the liralre cylinder and communication through which fluid under pressure is supplied to the brake cylinder, oi electrically controlled means toi controllingthe supply of fluid troni said con'irnunication to the brake cylinder.

28. ln an relcctro-pneumatic brake7 the winbinaticnwith brake cylinder and a valve device lor controlling the exhaust of liuir'il 'from the brake cylind r and communication through which 'linie under pre; re is supplied to the brake cylinder, ot e ctrically controlled means for effecting the operation oi? said valve device to close the brale cylinder exhaust and open said coinniunication and electrically controlled means tor supplying fluid from said communication to the brake cylinderf 29. ln an electro-pneumatic brake) the combination with a brake pipe'l a valve device operated upon a reduction in brake pipe pressure for eilecting an application oit the brakes, and a valve mechanism operatedby an increase in liuid pressure for ventingfluid 'fr-0in the brake pipe, of a selector valve de" vice having a position.forestablishing coininunication through which iiuid is supplied to said valve mechanism and a position in which communication is established :for

venting fluid from the brake pipe, and eleciafroae i :1nd then troni, the auxiliary reservoir and means operated upon a reduction inbralre pipe pressure for establishingcoininunication through which said electrically controlled means supplies 'luid frein the auxiliary reservoir to the brake cylinder.

3i. ln an electrof neuinatic brake the combina-tion with a valve mechanism operative to etlect an application ot the brakes7 of electrically controlled means operative upon deene fixation for effecting the operation of d valve mechanism and'ineans operative upon energization of said electrically conT trolled means torrendering said electrically controlled ineans eiiiective upon deenergiza tion to cause the operation of said valve mechanism.

l32. ln an electro-pneumatic brake, the combination with a valve mechanism operated by fluid under pressure 'for edecting an application of the brakes, of a chamber and electrically controlled ineans adapted upon energization to effect the charging of said chamber with fluid under pressure and upon deenergization to supply fluid lroin said chamber to said valve mechanism.

ln testimony whereof l have hereunto se my hand. l

THOMAS H. THMAS. 

